Thursday, November 15, 2012

Guidecraft Magneatos Better Builders Series {Review & Giveaway}

Guidecraft logo
While I know that every child is different, over the years we have decidedly found a few favorite toys that have been universally loved enough that they have joined our short list of must-have gifts. These are the ones that have proved beyond a doubt that they are high quality, inspire creativity, encourage learning, and every kid who has played with them has returned time and time again for more.

With that in mind, when we were recently invited to the birthday party of one of our favorite 2-year-olds, it didn't take me long to decide on what we would bring. I wanted something that would work safely for multiple ages (as the birthday boy has an older brother and younger sister), would be original and entertaining, and would allow everyone in the household to try to construct and build all of the structures that their imagination holds.

It was no surprise that I happily wrapped a box of amazingly fun Magneatos from Guidecraft.

Magneatos

Taking building to the next level, Magneatos consist of magnetic balls and rods that, when combined with panels, clips and bendies, can lead to an entirely new dimension of construction.

From their seemingly magical properties (as they jump together when held close enough) to their ease of use (no worries about your child's building toppling over as with traditional building blocks), Magneatos are a one-of-a-kind toy that only requires kid power and imagination.

As we've long been a fan of this Guidecraft exclusive, I was surprised and pleased to hear that they have recently taken Magneatos to the next level with the introduction of the all new Magneatos Better Builder Series.

New Magneatos

Featuring super strong magnetic force, unique rod and ball configurations and a myriad of design possibilities, Magneatos Better Builders are the new and improved, wonderfully inventive way to help children discover the principles of science, construction, and engineering while developing their creativity skills.

Eager to see just how amazing Guidecraft had made their new Magneatos, we couldn't wait to open up the Magneatos Better Builders 100 Piece Set and begin enjoying this Oppeheim Platinum Best Toy Award Winner.

Magneatos Better Builder Series

Including a handy storage bin (I love that Guidecraft has included this great way to make it easy to keep all of the pieces together!) and a 22-page Activity Guide with educational information about magnet science as well as sample building ideas, the first time we opened this set, we couldn't help but marvel at just how great it truly was.

Magneatos Better Builder Series review

Just as I suspected, the magnetic force that is the basis of Magneatos had my children (and me) immediately captivated. It's continually fascinating to see them hold so tightly together and the possibilities that these balls and rods provide is truly endless.

Magneatos review

The Magneatos Better Builder Series has been tested safe for ages 18 months+ (the magnets are safely and securely embedded in the over sized rods) but I have truly never met a child or adult that hasn't loved them.

The large, plastic pieces are easy for small hands to grasp and the magnets in the balls are plenty strong enough to hold together as connectors, making it possible to build horizontally, vertically or at nearly any angle. Combine that with the varying length and flexibility of the rods, and innovation becomes even more likely.

Even better, my kids have never once realized that Magneatos involve so many educational properties and that each time we pull out this container that they are participating in science. I love seeing their minds at work while they continue to have fun time and time again!

Guidecraft Magneatos review

Overall, I don't think that we could have been more pleased with the new Magneatos Better Builder Series and how well they represent what Guidecraft has always stood for: smart, well-crafted products which allow children's minds and imaginations room to truly wonder and grow.

This unique, colorful, high quality toy has a modern look but classic appeal for kids (and adults) of all ages. Whether being used by a beginning or novice builder, the hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, dexterity, creativity and more makes Magneatos entertaining in a simple, yet complex way.

Designed for ages 2+, the Magneatos Better Builders 100 Piece Set retails for $159.95 (smaller sets sell for $50 for 30 pieces and $99.95 for 60 pieces) and have proven that, yet again, Guidecraft knows what it takes to combine education and fun to please every age and interest. From furniture to art to toys, they have it all!

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to bring home magnetic creating and building entertainment, because...

One lucky person will win a Magneatos Better Builders 100 Piece Set!

Guidecraft giveaway

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Guidecraft for providing a Magneatos Better Builders 100 Piece Set for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

214 comments:

  1. the pirate table and chairs are cool

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  2. http://www.guidecraft.com/product/415045/G6418/_/Playhouse_Hideaway_Bookshelves

    michellehaskell@gmail.com
    michelle riebeek

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  3. I like the Block Mates Dinosaurs

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  4. I like the Retro Racers Upholstered Rocker

    Jennifer Rote
    wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com

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  5. My kids are always wanted to help in the kitchen so the Step-up Kitchen Helper would be awesome!

    Kyka44@yahoo.com

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  6. I like the interlox set - it looks like fun and a great way to get creative.

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  7. I really like the Plywood Fire Engine.

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  8. i love the Dress-Up Storage Center: White

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  9. I also like - http://www.guidecraft.com/product/506842/G7602/_/Block_Mates_Dinosaurs

    littleheathen9109 @ Yah00 d0t c0m

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  10. I love the Step-Up Kitchen Helper: White

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  11. I love the Jr. Roll Top Desk - Espresso.
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Another great item is the block mate dinosaurs

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  13. they are all great but the pirate is it for me

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  14. I love the Roadway System 42 Piece Set from GuideGraft.

    ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com

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  15. I love so many of their products!

    Step-Up Kitchen Helper: White

    stonemedic76@hotmail.com

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  16. I like the Block Mate Dinosaurs

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  17. I totally want about a dozen of the double-sided bookcases!!

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  18. We love the animal train sort n match! The espresso bookshelf and The A/V storage unit

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  19. The Interlox look like a lot of fun!

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  20. I like the All In One Modern Kitchen

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  21. My daughter would love the Step-Up Kitchen Helper: White

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  22. i like the dress-up storage center- chocolate

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  23. Deluxe Art Center would bet awesome for my grandkids.

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  24. I like the Center Stage Puppet Theater
    Kims2312@verizon.net

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  25. My daughter Kaitlyn is seven, and I think she'd love the Magneatos Master Builders! Another Guidecraft toy I just fell in love with is the Rapunzel Storybox!

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  26. I like the Skyscraper Building Set

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  27. I like the 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel.
    jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. Love the deluxe art center. It sure is deluxe!

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  29. Swing Door Kitchen
    Thanks
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. I love the Center Stage Tabletop Puppet Theater.

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  31. my kid loves dinosaurs so i like the block mates dinosaurs

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  32. I love the play kitchens!
    kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

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  33. sheila musselman askinsNovember 16, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    like the Block Mates Dinosaurs

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  34. I like Guidecraft's City Blocks set

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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  35. I love the storytelling sets. That is such a neat idea!

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  36. The all in one play kitchen looks great

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  37. I love the Deluxe art center.

    Love3570@aol.com

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  38. I like the construct it builder set.

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  39. I like the Deluxe Rainbow Blocks™
    kellywcuATyahooDOTcom

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  40. I like the Hideaway Country kitchen.

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

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  41. My grandchildren love Dinosaurs so they would love the Block Mates Dinosaurs.

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  42. Market Loft - how amazing is that!
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

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  43. Art table and chair set in red
    rendancechick at yahoo dot com
    mrs. bacon

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  44. 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

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  45. I love the hideaway country kitchen

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  46. I like the interlox set.
    Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill12@gmail.com

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  47. I also love the double-sided wooden bookcase.

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  48. I love the Roadway System 42 Pc Set.
    kathy d
    kats7960@gmail.com

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  49. I really like the Desk to Easel Art Cart.

    sflickinger at rocketmail dot com

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  50. The Dress-Up Storage Center in white.

    Mommyofone Shanna

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  51. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the story telling sets!!!

    krazed79@yahoo.com

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  52. I'd also love to gift the Butterfly Table & Chairs Set.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  53. My kids would love the Jr. Rainbow Blocks ... I have a friend who's children have them, and I love playing with them. hehe!

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  54. I love the Royal Tabletop Puppet Theater. It is so cute and affordable!

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  55. Another item I like is the Deluxe Art Center :)

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  56. I love the Plywood Fire Engine, looks like a lot of fun!

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  57. They have so many great things, but I think the kitchen helpers are such a good idea!

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  58. These are the kind of toys one wants, they will be handed down to great-grandkids!! I love all of their manipulative toys in particular. I would get the twist and sort first.

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  59. I love the Tactile Turn and Match!

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  60. I like the Kiddie Rocker chair set in red

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  61. I love the Deluxe Art Center!

    Francofamily4@aol.com

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  62. I like HANSEL & GRETEL by Steve Light.

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  63. My girls love anything that you can build with!

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  64. all kids love magnets, they just get so amazed its enjoyable to watch them play with them. I had some myself that i played with as a kid but these are much better

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  65. Awesome that they can be so creative with these. I liked the Deluxe Art Center.

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  66. I like the Skyscraper Building set

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  67. I love the Step-Up Kitchen Helper: Espresso

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

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  68. I would love to have the
    Hideaway Country Kitchen. sonyadmorris@gmail.com

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  69. The Tactile Turn 'N Match also looks awesome!
    ~Colleen

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  70. I like the Construct-It - Early Builder set as well.
    bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

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  71. Love the deluxe art center
    seyma_bennett@hotmail.com

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  72. Oh I also love the Rainbow Blocks Set!

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  73. I love the look of the roadway system!

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  74. I think the city blocks set looks like it would be a lot of fun! Or the country kitchen!
    Fantasticafternoon at yahoo dot com

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  75. The art desk or any of the wooden building blocks.
    wrensbigtrou@yahoo.com

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  76. I like the Block Mates Dinosaurs1

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  77. My boys would love the Block Mates Dinosaurs!
    priscillavbenavides@yahoo.com

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  78. the pirate table and chairs
    melissamiller2002@yahoo.com

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  79. Like the Block mates construction vehicle.

    My nephew has this magnet set - fantastic giveaway!

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  80. I love Guidecraft's jr. rainbow blocks!

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  81. I love the pirate chest of Guidecraft's. So hard to find cool things for boys and the pirate collection is awesome.

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  82. My kids would love the Center Stage Puppet Theater

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  83. I would love to have the Dress-Up Storage Center: White!

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  84. I like the
    Center Stage Puppet Theater

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  85. How awesome are these! Drivetime Signs - Set of 6....such cool imaginative toys!

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  86. The Deluxe Art Center would be incredible! (Corey Olomon)

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  87. I would like their Doll Cradle in white for my niece

    april yedinak

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  88. I love the 4-in-1 Flipping Floor Easel!

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  89. My son would also love the Construct-It - Early Builder - 160 pcs set!!!

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  90. I would love to get the Deluxe Art Center

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  91. love the all in one modern kitchen

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  92. I would love the have the Desk to Easel Art Cart for my grandkids.

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  93. My daughter loves building, so the City Blocks look great

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  94. Would also love the Deluxe Art Center!

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  95. i would love the Step-Up Kitchen Helper: Espresso

    christinejessamine at hotmail dot com

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  96. I also like the 4-in-1 Flipping Tabletop Easel

    jenblogger7 at gmail.com

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  97. My grandson would love Construct-It - 321 pcs.

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  98. They have a wonderful selection of furniture called the safari collection, I would love to have it!
    urbancwgrl84(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  99. Danielle Davis/GradyDecember 3, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    Locking Ladders - 75 pcs! :)
    Thank you!
    Suchaproudmama @ yahoo.com

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  100. The Block Mates - Safari Animals!

    ijessica_r at yahoo dot com

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  101. construct it beginner set

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  102. I also like the Dress Up Storage Center.

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  103. The Hideaway country kitchen is cute!

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  104. Love the plywood fire engine
    Sarah at realtorsd.com

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  105. I like Dress-Up Carousel - Pastel

    caryn9802 at yahoo dot com

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  106. the Magneatos Jumbo Mstr Bldr Set - 296 Pcs looks pretty amazing

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  107. I like the Dress-Up Carousel - Natural.

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  108. pirate table and chairs - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  109. Step-Up Kitchen Helper: White

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  110. I like the Construct-It - Early Builder - 160 pcs.

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  111. natalie rose machowskiDecember 5, 2012 at 5:45 AM

    my little brother would love the pirate table and chairs

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  112. I would like to own the Dress Up Storage center in White.

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  113. I like the city blocks
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  114. Deluxe Art Center
    ty
    rc name rochelle johnson
    traceyj40 at sbcglobal.net

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  115. I like the Dress-Up Storage Center: Chocolate. Thanks!

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  116. Gennie Lancaster-JayGennie05@aol.comDecember 5, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Center Stage Puppet Theater

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  117. The Deluxe Art Center is Awesome!!!! I love All of their products! (:

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  118. I LIKE THE 34 pc. Hardwood Unit Block Set :)

    (SHAYNA)

    shebebes@yahoo.com

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  119. I like the Wooden Grocery Products.

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  120. The Tactile Turn 'N Match looks awesome too!

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  121. i like the kitchen sets


    cpsnsamples@aol.com

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  122. I would also love the deluxe art center for my daughter!
    pauline15_01(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  123. would like to have their Skyscraper Building Set


    brich22 at earthlink dot net

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  124. I would also like the roadway system

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  125. I would like to own the Deluxe Art Center

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  126. step-up kitchen helper

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  127. love their deluxe art center!
    Miz Vickik

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  128. http://www.guidecraft.com/product/506303/G5011/_/Texture_Dominoes

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  129. I like the All In One Modern Kitchen

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  130. I would love to own the Deluxe Art Center. Great for organizing stuff.

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  131. The Tactile Turn 'N Match

    mmc123

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  132. I really like the construct it early builder
    fb: rab pom

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  133. I like the DESK TO EASEL ART CART

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  134. I like the Art Table & Chair Set - Pink

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  135. i like the delux art center
    amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

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  136. I like the Step-up Kitchen Helper too

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  137. I also like the Tabletop Paper Center from Guidecraft.
    reejen at comcast dot net

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  138. I really like Tactile Turn 'N Match

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  139. Beautiful Vanity Set! Classic White Vanity and Stool

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  140. love the All In One Modern Kitchen

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  141. I'd love to have the Complete Kitchen Center.
    ag1414@hotmail.com

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  142. The Plywood Front Loader is adorable!

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  143. i would like the Art Table & Chair Set - Red
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

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  144. I love the Deluxe Art Center!

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  145. I also like their School Bus Loft

    email/ daveshir2005@yahoo.com
    fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski

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  146. I like The Plywood Fire Truck!!!
    ptavernie at yahoo dot com

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  147. The Papagayo Toy Box looks very nice!

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  148. I really like the blockmates-The animals are neat!

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